Upper Iowa U plans site in Cherry Valley

The Cherry Valley Planning and Development Committee agreed unanimously Tuesday to recommend the university’s site plan to build a branch of Upper Iowa University in the village.

Bridget Tharp

A branch of Upper Iowa University is coming to Cherry Valley.

The university has about 750 students on its main campus but more than 6,000 students at satellite locations in Iowa, Kansas, Texas, Louisiana, Wisconsin and overseas. The newest location will be on 4 acres at 1117 Tebala Drive, backing up to Interstate 90.

“That’s why we chose the location: exposure to I-90,” builder Richard Pankey of Iowa-based Point Builders told village officials Tuesday. “The building acts as a billboard.”

The university wants to build a 13,145-square-foot building with a limestone and brick facade, meant to resemble the mid-19th century buildings on the main campus in Fayette, Iowa.

The village Planning and Development Committee agreed unanimously Tuesday to recommend the university’s site plan. The Village Board will consider the plan at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

This will be the university’s first campus in Illinois, but the design you’ll see in Cherry Valley is the same one UIU will use to build future learning centers.

The Cherry Valley campus will have seven classrooms, a computer lab, student lounge, faculty offices and room for additions.

“We see the Rockford-area as having great opportunity for us and the ability in the future to grow to at least 300 students,” said Fritz Oppenlander, who is the Milwaukee-based director of the north central region for UIU.

University officials hope to break ground next month and expect the building to be ready in time to offer their first classes March 1.

Administrative staff positions are filled, but the school still is interviewing for faculty.

The university has established an agreement with Rock Valley College so students may easily transfer general education credits or transferable associate degrees to the future UIU campus in Cherry Valley.

For more information

Learn more about the Upper Iowa University at uiu.edu.

Talk to local representatives at 815-624-7777.

Staff writer Bridget Tharp may be reached at 815-987-1354 or btharp@rrstar.com.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Sister Publication

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Boonville Daily News - Boonville, MO ~ 412 High St. Boonville, MO 65233 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service